Happy Valentine's Day

We hope all have a very Happy Valentine's Day!

If you are curious, like I was, go to the following link and you can read all about how Valentine's Day came to be and why in February. http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day. It is quite interesting.

Here's an excerpt: Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap"

Firsts!

This morning before church I noticed that I had missed a phone call from Margaret. I tried calling her back and got no answer. Beginning to worry that something might be wrong I tried again and again there was no answer. I tried Jerimy's cell phone and still got no answer. Deciding that if there truly was something wrong Margaret would call me back, Gary and I headed off to church. We had not driven more than a block when my cell rang and it was Margaret. I asked if everything was alright and she said yes. I then asked what she needed and she said that she hadn't called but that Oliver was playing with her phone and must have found the exact "speed dial" button to call his Mormor. Incredible little guy!! I told her that he just wanted to talk to his Mormor. So I can now say that I have officially received my "first" phone call from my grandson, although I didn't answer. How many more times do you suppose Oliver will be calling his Mormor? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. . . . . hope it's lots!

Home Again

Home Again . . . We arrived home from Hawaii Monday at 12:30 pm, tired but safe. It is strange to come home from a warm climate where we were able to wear t-shirts, shorts and sandals to snow on the ground and wearing coats.

We had a great visit with John, Laura and Danya. Danya loves to talk and interract with mom and dad and whoever will listen to her jabber. I can't wait to see her again. Thanks John and Laura for sharing time with us.

Missions Accomplished

When Gary and I left Minnesota we talked about what it was that we would like to do while visiting Laura, John and Danya (after all we had a 6 hour flight from Seattle to Honolulu to talk).  One of the things that we had decided (and Gary did most of it) was that we would help Laura and John by building a fence/gate for their backyard so that if Danya was to go outside unsupervised she would not be able to get to the front of the house.  Several days we would make our mornings adventure time going to see Diamond Head (at least from the bottom); catching the waves on the North Shore where they are the biggest; shopping for little things like coffee and treats for those back home; and going to the beach.  Then in the afternoon, while Danya slept Gary would work on the fence/gate.  Well, he kept saying that he had the fence but not a calf to look at it so Laura brought out a little people calf and proceeded to take a picture so that Gary could say he was like a calf looking at a new gate.  Okay, cheesy, I know but the mission was accomplished and now Danya is safe to be in the backyard and cannot get to the front of the house.

Minnesota / Hawaii

This has been a great week to spend away from Minnesota.  We have heard from many that it is COLD, snowy and windy.  When we have cold, snow and wind we bundle up like Ralphy's brother on "The Christmas Story" and head outside to school, work, or play in the snow.  We are challenged to shovel the walks/driveways, make certain the car is in proper working condition, and then head out to do what we in Minnesota do.

As we have been here in Hawaii, where it is most of the time sunny and warm we were reminded today of a different environment entirely.  To preface I need to tell you that a couple of weeks ago the island of Oahu had a storm that knocked out power to the entire island, as well as knocked down trees and caused flooding.  There was much damage and the state took a lot of flack for not doing something about it.  Yesterday all of the weather forcasters said that there was a mighty strong storm coming on shore and to "batten down the hatches" or prepare for what might be very strong winds (gusts up to 60 miles an hour) and rain.  

As we were preparing for supper last night, John received a phone call from his supervisor that told him he would not have to come in to work today because of the potential of the storm (he works for the State of Hawaii).  That meant that state offices would be closed along with all of the schools on the island.  The news showed kids celebrating a 4 day weekend because of the holiday on Monday.  Today it is windy but nothing that we (Gary and I) haven't seen back home and off and on rain but even sunny weather.

Just seems odd to me that we are in a warm climate and the schools were closed for the day but in Minnesota with the windchill in the -30 degrees range the schools continued.  That's one of those Hmmmmmmm moments.